HEELS ON WHEELS: 2008 Ford Escape

The Escape definitely gained some muscle for 2008 and now better
embodies Ford’s beefy truck image and genetics. The Escape made its
public debut at the North American International Auto Show in 2000. The
mid-size SUV Mercury Mariner is the more refined twin of the Ford Escape.

I drove the 4-speed automatic 2008 Ford Escape Limited 4x4 with a
200-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine. Gas mileage is approximately 22-mpg
city and 28-mpg highway driving – a couple notches above average for
a compact SUV with a V6.

The 2008 Ford Escape is one of the first Ford Motor Company vehicles to
use speed-sensitive Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS). This system
helps correct road irregularities and improves overall steering feel. The
system uses an electric motor rather than the engine’s accessory
drive. This new system eliminates the hydraulic noises typical of
conventional hydraulic power-assisted steering systems and improves fuel
economy as well. The Escape models achieve up to an 8 percent improvement
in fuel economy over the previous model.

Engineers made a host of changes to the 2008 Escape to reduce noise,
vibration and harshness (NVH) levels inside the vehicle. This list includes
thicker glass and relocated alternator from the right side to the left side
of the engine.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: What caught my eyes were the higher
beltline, raised hood and new front design. Plus the 17-inch chrome Alloy
wheels. It's tough but not huge. There are very interesting C-shaped rear
brake lights on the new model. I had very plush leather seats and a
leather-trimmed wheel. The Escape has a well-constructed wood and glossy
plastic center console, including their new "top of the dash" information
display, Ice Blue lighting and redesigned controls. At one point in my test
drive I had five passengers and all said they felt comfortable, whether
sitting in the front passenger seat or middle second row. Note it was
impossible to open the heavy liftgate with one hand while cradling
groceries – no command on remote key fob.

Reliability & Safety Factor: One reason the Ford SUV hybrid
lineup is falling a bit short on bigger consumer and media endorsement is
because its getting dinged for having low braking scores. Consumer Reports
found it took 161 feet for the Escape and Mercury Marnier to stop from 60-0
mph – this is about 25-30 feet more than what competitors are
testing. For 2008, Ford didn't make it in the Top Ten of Consumer Reports'
recommended manufacturers. It would be more accurate to say the automaker
actually landed near the bottom of the list citing average reliability
where the brakes and body hardware is concerned. This is not to say it
hasn't improved over the years since its entry into the market in 2006.
Ford Motor Company has an extended Powertrain Limited Warranty that
includes extended warranty coverage for certain engine, transmission,
front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive components that are covered for 5
years/60,000 miles (whichever occurs first).

Cost Issues: Total vehicle cost for my 2008 Ford Escape Limited
4x4 with all its options revealed approximately $33,280. That's $7,095 for
the options and $25,520 for the base price, not including destination
charges. Because there are no hydraulic lines or fluid, supposedly the
maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle are reduced.

Activity & Performance Ability: I loved the feel of the
3.0-liter V6 and thought it gave a lot for having just 200 horsepower. It
never disappointed during high-speed acceleration. It was never sluggish
holding full capacity on slopes, both on pavement and on off-roads. The
turning radius on the 2008 Escape was another plus as I dodged for the
parking space and when navigating past slower cars on roads.

The Green Concern: In 2004 we got the Escape Hybrid, the
world’s first hybrid-electric SUV. Today the Escape has an all-new
interior, featuring the industry’s first fabric seating surfaces made
from 100 percent recycled material, so it keeps trying to get greener.
Total vehicle cost for a 2008 Ford Escape 4x4 Hybrid with all the fixings
is approximately $32,760. Gas mileage on this Hybrid is 34-mpg city and
30-mpg highway driving. If you could give up the nice leather and handle
the recycled material, do it.

FINAL PARTING WORDS
The Ford Escape is if you want an SUV and you want to be reasonable about
the size and fuel consumption. And if you don't mind the fact the
braking/stopping didn't rate as well as the other SUVs in its class did.

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